Karnataka High Court clears way for Bangalore University BCom exams as per schedule

Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka has ruled that the first-, third-, and fifth-semester BCom examinations of Bangalore University (BU) will be held as scheduled on January 13, 15, 17, 20, and 21.

A division bench issued the order on Sunday, staying a January 10, 2025 ruling by a single bench that had directed rescheduling the exams.

The single bench’s decision followed a petition filed by five students who argued that the BCom exams overlapped with those conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). BU subsequently appealed the decision, seeking an urgent hearing.

A special division bench comprising Justice Anu Sivaraman and Justice MI Arun stayed the earlier order, allowing the exams to proceed as planned.

"We are of the opinion that directing the rescheduling of the examination, that too at the instance of five students, is not a proper exercise. We are, therefore, inclined to issue an interim stay of the order passed by the single judge dated January 10, 2025. The examinations scheduled to be conducted on January 13, 2025, and thereafter shall proceed as scheduled. Registry to list this matter on January 13, 2025, for further consideration," the division bench noted.

The advocate representing BU argued that the BCom exam schedule had been announced well in advance, with notifications issued on December 13, 2024. He pointed out that rescheduling the exams for the benefit of five students would disrupt arrangements for around 35,000 candidates.

Citing Supreme Court judgements, the advocate noted that decisions regarding the conduct of exams fall under the policy domain of universities, which are empowered to take such decisions independently.

Conversely, the advocate for the petitioning students emphasised that they were aspiring to pursue careers in accountancy and had registered for the ICAI’s foundation and intermediate exams, scheduled from January 11 to 21. The overlap forced the students to choose between the two critical exams.

While the division bench acknowledged that it would have been prudent for the BU to consider the students’ representations, it underscored that the scheduling of examinations remains a policy decision and does not warrant judicial interference.